Ubisoft Cancels Far Cry Extraction Shooter, Pivots to Open-World Spin-Off Kodiak
After years of development, Project Maverick is dead; Vantage Studios now builds on its tech for a traditional Far Cry experience.
Ubisoft has canceled Project Maverick, a Far Cry-themed extraction shooter, after several years of development and redirected resources toward a new open-world spin-off codenamed Project Kodiak.
The shift, first reported by Insider Gaming's Tom Henderson and corroborated by multiple outlets including Polygon and Beebom, marks a strategic retreat from the live-service extraction genre. Instead, Ubisoft is returning to the open-world first-person shooter mechanics that established Far Cry as one of gaming's most recognizable franchises.
From Maverick to Kodiak
Project Maverick was conceived as an extraction shooter set in the Far Cry universe, a genre where players infiltrate hostile territory, gather loot, and attempt to escape before being eliminated by rivals. The approach reflected Ubisoft's broader push toward persistent, multiplayer-focused experiences. However, the project failed to gain internal confidence and has now been canceled.
Project Kodiak has graduated from its concept phase at Vantage Studios and entered full development. According to reporting from Beebom and Dexerto, the new title reuses the core engine work, codebase, and technological foundations developed during Maverick's production cycle. This allows Ubisoft to salvage years of technical investment while pivoting away from extraction mechanics toward traditional Far Cry gameplay.
A Return to Form
The decision signals an acknowledgment that forcing Far Cry into the extraction shooter mold may have stretched the IP beyond its core strengths. The franchise built its reputation on expansive open worlds, player-driven storytelling, and the freedom to approach objectives through stealth, aggression, or improvisation. Kodiak reportedly emphasizes these elements rather than the competitive, loop-driven structure of extraction games.
Industry observers have noted that Ubisoft's live-service ambitions have faced headwinds across multiple franchises. The company's recent quarterly disclosures highlighted challenges in sustaining player engagement for multiplayer-focused titles, making the pivot away from Maverick's extraction framework a pragmatic correction.
What Comes Next
While Kodiak moves into full production, the broader Far Cry roadmap remains in flux. Multiple outlets have reported that the next mainline entry, internally referred to as Far Cry 7 or Blackbird, faces development delays, though specific release windows remain unconfirmed.
For now, Ubisoft's immediate focus is clear: build on Maverick's technical foundation while returning to the open-world formula that made Far Cry a commercial powerhouse. Whether Kodiak can recapture the series' earlier success will depend on execution, but the cancellation of Maverick suggests Ubisoft is willing to course-correct rather than force an IP into an ill-fitting genre.
The studio has not officially announced Project Kodiak, and representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.